British racer Jamie Chadwick has won the Indy NXT in Wisconsin, becoming the first woman to do so on a road course, and just the third woman in history to win an Indy NXT race.
The 26-year old defeated Andretti Global teammate Louis Foster by 0.823 seconds on the 14-turn, 20-laps course in the Grand Prix of Road America – one day after she claimed a maiden pole position.
The three-time W Series champion was elated as she crossed the line, shouting “Yes! Yes! Yes! Oh my God!!”
“Honestly overwhelmed,” she said as she climbed out of the car. “Oh man! I have no words. Obviously, I’m a bit emotional. I’m just so happy we won there. I had to cool the tires. At the end, I had to be aggressive. We’ve had an unbelievable car this year and just haven’t really been able to do anything about it. So I’m just so happy we held on there.”
“I’m just so thankful for the Andretti team guys, honestly. Last year was a tough year but they’ve helped me so much. This is to them.”
“We kind of talk about not having too much pressure early on,” Chadwick continued. “At the same time I really want to show what women are capable of in this sport. I strongly believe women are capable of getting to the highest level.”
“We have an amazing young generation coming through. There are so many great women in the sport. We just need more. Hopefully it inspires more, and that’s all I care about.”
The race marked the final round on the ladder system of open-wheel racing for drivers working their way towards the IndyCar Series.
“I’m honestly overwhelmed,” Chadwick admitted. “I felt like when we were running, I had good control of the race, but in this championship there’s always yellows, always things that can throw anything into the mix. The red flag at the end.”
“I knew anything could happen. I just had to drive my race, go for the best. Fortunately we were a bit heavier on the push to pass, able to bring it home. Honestly super, super happy.”
“It all means a lot. Everyone I race against, but also the wider support. Last year was a tough year. Fighting where I think we should be fighting, it’s a great feeling. Grateful for everyone’s support. I think we’ll keep pushing. I appreciate how tough this championship is, as well. Just respecting the level. Coming at it this year with the speed we’ve had, I’m just super happy.”
Despite her win, Chadwick, who is racing with the Andretti team for the next two years, said she did not feel the moment was historic.
“No, not really,” Chadwick said. “Pippa [Mann] would have felt the same back when she was racing. It doesn’t make a difference. At the same time I find the stat scary because there is no reason, it’s tough, it’s physical, but there’s no reason why women can’t be competing at the highest level of motorsports. It shouldn’t be that. I don’t think it’s something we should be proud of to celebrate in a way.”
“I really want more women,” she added. “Seeing Lindsay [Brewer] come to the championship is great, but I think we should have more and more young girls starting in the Indy feeder series, getting through Indy NXT.”
The last time a woman won an Indy NXT race was in September 2010 at Kentucky Speedway, when Pippa Mann took the chequered flag. Before that, Ana Beatriz secured single victories in Nashville in 2008 and Iowa in 2009.
After Chadwick’s win over the weekend, Mann congratulated the British racer over a Zoom interview.
“It’s obviously something I’m equally as passionate about as Jamie,” Mann said. “I’ve been doing a lot of work outside of the car trying to help other women in the sport. My business is pretty small, and we can’t do a lot. It’s really important to me to help see more women have the funding and opportunities.”
“Female drivers can be just as talented as men, just as Jamie is proving. With the opportunity and the equipment and the talent, we could win races and championships. This is why it means so much for me to see Jamie out there succeeding.”
“Female drivers can be just as talented as men, just as Jamie is proving,” Mann continued. “With the opportunity and the equipment and the talent, we could win races and championships. This is why it means so much for me to see Jamie out there succeeding.”